The Barker Four on the First Day of School
When I return home it's only been two hours since the madness of the morning started. And it's so quiet. I mean really, really quiet. Everyone keeps asking me, "What are you going to do with all your free time now that ALL of your kids are in school?" To be honest, I have not really thought about what I'm "going" to do. Right now, I am just doing. I am working to create an environment that is organized for four school aged kids. Every morning when I wake up, I refer to the master calendar. It tells me who has to wear PE clothes that day. Who has to go to therapy and at what time. When I get home from morning drop off, I again I review and record any upcoming field trips, special events, picture days, quizzes or homework assignments that are on the horizon. Brett has been pleading with me for years to move our family calendar online. But I can't. I need this big old ugly thing that I don't have to make sure is charged to see. Or that I don't have to scroll up, down, left or right to view at a glance. This is what works for me.
THE Calendar I can not function without.
Another daily highlight is monitoring my new cubby system. No seriously, it is. Why in the world did I not think of this two years ago?? The cubbies/school supplies/Inbox/file center has been a lifesaver! I had looked into mudroom ideas but did not have the space. The only place I had available for any type of system was under Brett's archery supplies. So I made it work. Each little Barker now has their very own space for their book bag, swim bag, shoes, library books, etc. The cubbies sit on an entertainment cabinet I found at Goodwill for only $20. This repurposed piece houses workbooks and flashcards behind the doors and features a shared family shoe basket in the middle. School shoes, however, must go in the bottom of the cubby. I know, crazy rules.... But this little area has grown into Barker School Central and so far we have not had to scramble in the mornings for shoes or bags or books. As an incentive, a treasure chest full of prizes sits right on top, and prizes are awarded on Fridays to those that have been responsible and placed their belongings in their cubbies all week. I love everything about this area....
Grand Central Station
So for right now, I have no grand plans for my free time. Being a mom to four kids at three different schools is a lot of work. There isn't a whole lot of free time. I'm usually just getting ready for said crew to return home. Geez, being a mom to one kid at one school is a lot of work. But I've realized, mostly from trial and error, that being organized for my kids and helping my kids organize themselves is the only way they are going to be successful in their school endeavors. So here is to the start of a great school year!
Oh, and in my free time, one thing I am "going to do" is blog. Because I have not been a good Barker Four Blogger in a very, very long time!
